NFL Week 2 picks against the spread

Los Angeles Chargers (-7.5) @ Buffalo Bills

If this line was 2007 Patriots like, I would bet all of the money on the Los Angeles Chargers. If LaDainian Tomlinson came out of retirement and was named starter over Melvin Gordon, I would bet my life’s savings on the Chargers. If Doug Flutie wanted to give it one more shot… well, you get the point.

At least the Bills aren’t completely crazy and sat Nathan Peterman for Josh Allen, but still this game is going to go badly for the part-time Toronto residents. The Bills are going to lose, and they are going to lose big.

If you’d like some analysis, here. The Chargers looked like they really missed Joey Bosa on defense last week. Tyreek Hill might not have enough time to use his speed if Bosa forced some bad throws. The rest of the team played well, but the defense was getting torched by one guy. Still, the Bills have nothing like that anywhere on the roster. Take as many points as possible and bet the Chargers.

Los Angeles (C) 45, Buffalo 3

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers (-1)

This is all Aaron Rodgers. It should be all Aaron Rodgers. Did you see him play on Sunday night? That game was literally all Aaron Rodgers (and a little Khalil Mack).

However, we don’t know what version of Rodgers we’re getting this week. He really hurt his knee in that game. He may have been able to play through it, but you could tell it changed things for him. He went from moving around before making throws to throwing the ball the second someone came open. He’s deadly with both versions of this, but he definitely limits himself without his mobility.

With that being said, this is too good an opponent to gamble on a less-than-100% Rodgers. There’s not enough in the rest of this offense to make up for that. The Vikings are stacked. They’re one of the favorites to come out of the NFC. It may not be smart to bet against Rodgers, but when the Vikings are on the other side it makes sense in this situation.

Minnesota 22, Green Bay 21

Cleveland Browns @ New Orleans Saints (-9)

This is another huge line facing the New Orleans Saints. After losing to the Bucs last weeks as the 9.5 point favorite, the come into a matchup with the Browns with a nine point advantage. This is a Browns team that’s having their best start since 2004!

Okay, that’s kind of pathetic, but this still isn’t last year’s Browns team. Tyrod Taylor is a capable quarterback. Josh Gordon will keep getting more involvement in the offense. Jarvis Landry can make things happen in the open field. Myles Garrett may be the best DT in the league already.

Still, this is going to be a very angry Saints team. They cannot afford to allow the Browns to stay in this game. If the Saints go 0-2 against winnable opponents at home, then the number one seed is all but gone. Expect the Saints to try and make a statement that last week was a fluke. Also, expect another big night from the three-headed monster of Drew Brees, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara.

New Orleans 45, Cleveland 20